Beltline: The Southeast Trail Link Is Here and Inman Park Festival Returns

BUSYBODY BELTLINE

Hello, Beltline neighbors; it is officially the best time of year to be out and about in our corner of the city. The long-awaited Southeast Trail connection is finally ready for your weekend wheels, just in time for the city's favorite street parade to take over the Victorian heart of Inman Park.

- News — We’re celebrating the official ribbon-cutting of the Southeast Trail, touring what to see along the new segment, and prepping for the eccentric, volunteer-led return of the Inman Park Festival.
- Business — From high-end fabrics at Ponce City Market to a vintage-style book vending machine at Krog Street, local retail is getting a creative and high-tech boost.
- Events — It’s a massive weekend featuring the historic Tour of Homes, a 10K race on the trail, and even a Pickle Fest for the fermentation fans.
- Government — Local leaders are weighing a massive $1.36 billion jail bond while neighbors gear up to debate a potential ban on new self-storage along the Beltline.
- Construction — World Cup infrastructure is landing in Sweet Auburn, while major resurfacing projects are set to smooth out the commute on Ponce and Memorial Drive.

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NEWS

Beltline opens Southeast Trail segment and Inman Park Festival returns

Beltline cuts the ribbon on final chunk of Southeast trail
The long-awaited connection between Piedmont Park and Grant Park is finally a reality. As Mayor Andre Dickens put it at the ribbon-cutting, the city is now "drawing circles, not lines." This newly paved segment through Glenwood Park means you can now trek from the tip of the Eastside Trail all the way down to the Southside without dodging traffic, making those cross-town bike commutes significantly less stressful.

Atlanta’s Inman Park Festival Returns: A Celebration of Heritage and Street Culture
Get your walking shoes and sunblock ready because the city's largest volunteer-run festival is taking over the streets of Inman Park once again. This staple of spring culture isn't just about the eccentric parade and the artist market; it’s a vital showcase of our neighborhood’s historic preservation efforts and the fierce community pride that keeps these Victorian streets looking so sharp.

What to see on Atlanta Beltline's new Southeast Trail
If you're planning your first excursion on the newly completed trail segment, the route offers more than just a smooth path; it’s a curated tour of the city’s evolving landscape through Reynoldstown and beyond. From strategically placed vantage points of the skyline to new access to local favorites, the expansion is already proving that the "Beltline effect" is ready to transform the city’s southeast corner into a primary weekend destination.

BUSINESS

Mood Fabrics at PCM and Krog Street’s book vending machine

Mood Fabrics - opening - The legendary textile resource made famous by Project Runway has officially opened a showroom at Ponce City Market. It’s a major get for the city’s design community and local SCAD students, who no longer have to rely on shipping from New York to get their hands on high-end fabrics and designer trims.

Long Story Books - opening - A bit of analog charm has arrived at Krog Street Market in the form of a 1930s-inspired book vending machine. It’s a clever, low-friction way to discover a new author while you're waiting for a table or grabbing a coffee, featuring a curated selection of titles that change regularly.

Scout Living - opening - The flexible apartment-hotel concept at Ponce City Market is officially joining the Hilton family. The partnership reflects just how much the Old Fourth Ward has become a destination for "flex-stay" travelers who want the amenities of a furnished apartment with the reliability of a major hotel brand.

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EVENTS

Inman Park Festival, two Beltline races, and a clothing swap at PCM

It’s one of the biggest weekends of the year for the East Side as the Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes returns, bringing its legendary street parade and rare glimpses inside the neighborhood’s most stunning Victorian gems. Between the festival crowds and the Atlanta International 5K/10K taking over the Beltline on Saturday morning, expect high energy and heavy foot traffic throughout the corridor all weekend long.

Monday, April 20
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Ponce City Market
- ((( O ))) - June Marieezy | Aisle 5
- The Session RnB Jam | City Winery Atlanta

Tuesday, April 21
- Earth Week Sunset Tree Tour: Atlanta EastsideTrail | Inman Park Coffee
- Black Pistol Fire - Flagrant Act of Bliss | The Masquerade
- Lambrini Girls | Variety Playhouse
- Native Land Podcast | City Winery Atlanta
- On Company Time | Aisle 5

Friday, April 24
- Improvised Action Movie | Dad's Garage
- Larry Griffith Band | TWO urban licks
- Goldford w/ Madeline Edwards | Variety Playhouse
- Return to Dust | The Masquerade

Sunday, April 26
- Mandi Strachota | Inman Park Festival
- Protoje | Variety Playhouse
- Ritt Momney | The Masquerade
- Tripping Daisy: I Am An Elastic Firecracker | The Masquerade

GOVERNMENT

APS shifts audit leadership and Fulton County weighs a $1.36B jail bond

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta Public Schools

The district moved on several fronts this week to tighten financial oversight and prepare for the 2027 school year. The Audit Committee appointed Board Vice-Chair Dr. Ken Zeff as its new chair, placing him in charge of the body that monitors ethics and internal spending. This leadership shift coincided with a new audit of student extracurricular activities, part of an effort to ensure that money intended for sports and clubs is being managed correctly and reaching students. On the budget side, the district began early planning for the FY27 fiscal year. While no final tax rates were set, officials are focusing on staff compensation and federal funding levels—the two biggest factors that ultimately determine the district's bottom line and the impact on local property taxes. Finally, the Policy Committee advanced new standards for how school counselors advise students on their academic and emotional paths, while also debating whether to adjust high school graduation requirements and community service hours to stay competitive with neighboring districts.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners took up a massive infrastructure proposal this week, with a resolution on the agenda to authorize up to $1.36 billion in revenue bonds for the Fulton County Jail. This major investment is intended to fund a multi-phase renovation and construction project to address long-standing facility issues. Also scheduled for consideration was a significant boost to employee benefits, with a proposal to increase paid parental leave from 8 to 12 weeks for county staff. For those tracking local housing needs, the board was set to weigh a grant for a new 120-unit affordable housing development. However, not every item moved forward; a decision on $500,000 in funding for the Summer Youth Internship Program was slated to be put on hold for further discussion, and two high-profile items regarding voter ID education and election scanning equipment were removed from the agenda entirely. Because minutes have not yet been posted for this meeting, these items are noted as scheduled actions that may have been deferred or modified during the session.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — April 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider a Charter amendment that would allow council committees to fill board vacancies left open for more than 60 days and will review a resolution seeking an independent investigation into specific city contracts. Members will also discuss new accountability rules requiring a primary sponsor for all legislation and appoint representatives to the FY 2027 Budget Commission.

- Atlanta City Council — April 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Councilmembers will vote on establishing a temporary downtown "entertainment district" for the FIFA World Cup and a billion-dollar widening project for Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson. The agenda also includes the first reading of the Beltline Subarea 8 Master Plan and the formal introduction of the 2027 fiscal year budget and property tax rates. Locations mentioned include a rezoning for a residential project at 1469-1483 Hosea L. Williams Drive SE and an annexation request for 1150-1220 Woodland Avenue NE.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-N — April 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Neighbors will review a proposed city-wide ban on new self-storage facilities within the Beltline Overlay and a request to convert a residential lot at 708 Kirkwood Avenue into a mixed-use space. The agenda also includes plans for a FIFA World Cup watch party at Candler Park and several new alcohol licenses for businesses in the Krog Street and North Highland corridors.

CONSTRUCTION

FIFA sign in Sweet Auburn, 148 units on Pine, and Ponce de Leon resurfacing

Permits
- 309 Edgewood Ave SE — FIFA is officially leaving its mark on Sweet Auburn. A new LED digital sign is being installed as part of the city's World Cup prep, signaling more high-tech infrastructure arriving in the historic district.
- 251 Pine St — Major mechanical work is underway for a 148-unit apartment complex. HVAC systems are being installed for the residences and common areas, a sign that this large-scale housing project is nearing the finish line.
- 942 N Ave NE — Boosting density in Poncey-Highland. A permit was issued to convert an existing basement into individual residential units, adding more rental stock to one of the city's most walkable corridors.
- 650 N Ave NE — More interior shuffling is happening at Ponce City Market. Fire sprinkler modifications and relocations were filed, common for the ever-evolving retail and office footprints inside the massive complex.
- 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE — Improved accessibility is coming to this O4W stretch. A site work permit was filed to construct a new ADA ramp and sidewalk connecting the building to the public right-of-way.
- 200 Renaissance Pkwy NE — Expect some construction noise near Renaissance Park. Structural frame and concrete repairs are slated for this site to address long-term maintenance.
- 44 Krog St NE — Krog Street Market is getting a safety refresh. Modifications to the existing fire sprinkler system were filed to bring the market’s protection up to current standards.
- 850 Ralph McGill Blvd NE — Interior renovations are coming to the multi-family units near the Beltline. A permit was filed for a full kitchen and primary bedroom overhaul, including new cabinets and appliances.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 8 / Ponce de Leon Avenue (from SR 3 to SR 42) — Resurfacing and maintenance work is underway to improve the roadway surface between Northside Drive and Moreland Avenue. Expect lane closures along this major corridor passing Ponce City Market and Poncey-Highland as crews work to repair the aging pavement.
- SR 42 / Moreland Avenue at Arkwright Place — Intersection improvements are in progress to convert this junction into a right-in/right-out configuration. This project involves constructing a median to restrict left turns, which will change how residents and shoppers access this stretch of the Moreland corridor.
- SR 154 / Memorial Drive (Hill Street to Pearl Street) — This safety project is adding a mid-block pedestrian crossing and restricted crossing U-turns (RCUT) to improve "vulnerable road user" safety. This work spans both Fulton and DeKalb Counties and will impact traffic flow near the Sweet Auburn and Cabbagetown areas.
- I-75 at Ralph McGill Blvd & Baker Street — Crews are active in the tunnels upgrading lighting from high-pressure sodium to energy-efficient LEDs. Work includes replacing conduit and wiring, which may lead to overnight lane shifts in the Old Fourth Ward area.
- I-75/I-85 Connector (from CSX Overpass to Brookwood Interchange) — A significant resurfacing project is active on the Downtown Connector. This maintenance work aims to improve the roadway’s OCI score and fix wear and tear on the city's busiest thoroughfare bordering O4W.
- I-75 (I-85 to Memorial Drive) — Extensive lighting upgrades are being performed along this stretch of the Connector. The project involves replacing poles and installing new LED fixtures to improve visibility on the western edge of the neighborhood.
- I-20 (Capitol Ave to Flat Shoals Road) — This lighting project spans Fulton and DeKalb Counties and is focused on replacing existing lighting systems with LED fixtures. Expect shoulder closures and minor nighttime disruptions near the southern end of the East Side Beltline.

Pre-Construction
- SR 10 from I-75 to Ponce de Leon Ave — Resurfacing and maintenance work is planned for this short but vital connector between the Downtown Connector and Old Fourth Ward. Expect future lane closures as crews work to smooth out the pavement.
- I-75/I-85 (Downtown Connector) from Baker Highland Connector to Decatur St — A scoping study is underway for improvements to a one-mile section of the Connector. This project will eventually impact the primary north-south artery for Sweet Auburn and O4W commuters.
- SR 42/US 23 (Moreland Ave) from DeKalb Ave to Austin Ave (DeKalb County) — Scoping is in progress to narrow travel lanes from 11.5 feet to 10 feet through this busy corridor. If your route takes you between Inman Park and Little Five Points, keep an eye on this "road diet" aimed at calming traffic.
- I-75/I-85 Capping (The Stitch - Phase I) — Pre-construction planning for the ambitious park-over-the-highway project. This first phase focuses on the pedestrian bridge and capping structures that will eventually reconnect the Downtown core with neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn.
- SR 8 (Ponce de Leon Ave) from Peachtree St to Ponce de Leon Place — Median work and safety improvements are slated for the western end of the Ponce corridor. This project aims to improve pedestrian safety for those traveling between Midtown and the Poncey-Highland area.
- Peachtree St from Ellis St to Baker St — A reconfiguration of Peachtree Street is coming, moving away from a traditional curbed road to a more pedestrian-friendly "shared space" design. This will alter the primary southern access point for those heading into Downtown from the Beltline area.
- SR 8/US 23 at SR 42 (Ponce de Leon Ave & Moreland Ave) (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — Major operational improvements are coming to the intersection of Ponce and Moreland. Plans include extending the westbound left-turn lane on Ponce to 160 feet and adding a new 100-foot westbound right-turn lane to reduce backups at this major Inman Park/Poncey-Highland junction.
- I-75 Bridge Preservation (Fulton County) — Essential maintenance is planned for four bridge locations on the Connector. Work includes painting, joint replacement, and polymer overlays to protect the structures; expect future night or weekend lane shifts.
- SR 154 (Memorial Drive) from Connally St to Grant St — Construction of auxiliary lanes is planned for this stretch near the South Beltline and Oakland Cemetery. The extra lanes are intended to help merge traffic and reduce congestion on the southern edge of Old Fourth Ward.
- SR 154 (Memorial Drive) Corridor Improvements — This project will expand sidewalks and bring the corridor up to ADA standards between Connally and Grant Streets. It aims to fix broken paths and create a more walkable connection between Sweet Auburn and Grant Park.

Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repairs — A heavy week for signals with repairs reported at Ralph McGill & Glen Iris, Elizabeth & Edgewood, Blvd & Wabash, and Ponce de Leon & Argonne, along with an emergency repair at Decatur St & Jesse Hill Jr Dr.
- Litter Removal — Cleanup requested for the right of way at Hill St SE, Hurt St NE, Blvd & Edgewood Ave, and Haralson & DeKalb Ave.
- Downed Trees — Reports of fallen trees impacting Euclid Ave NE, Waverly Way NE, and the intersection of Glen Iris Dr & North Ave.
- Potholes — New road hazards identified at Bernina Ave and Elizabeth St.
- Overgrowth and Visibility Issues — Requests to clear vegetation for better sightlines at Bonaventure Ave & North Ave and along Highland Ave NE.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation requested for debris left on Lake Ave NE.

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Until next week,
Beltline Busybody

Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.